Lauren J Ragan, November 14, 1945 - February 28, 2013

Lauren J. Ragan, 67 of Bristol, went to the Ocean in the Sky last Thursday, February 28th.  She was the wife of the late Dean P Ragan. Born in Pawtucket, she was the daughter of the late Wilfred and Dorothy (Furber) Bonneau.  She is survived by her daughter Rebecca J. Bilodeau, whom she spent her final days with, (husband) Pierre Sr., and her grandchildren who she treasured, Pierre, Jr. and Aimee. She leaves extended family in Michigan and Utah.  Arrangements were made through Hill Funeral Home, East Greenwich, RI.

Before retiring she was an ACI guard for 29 years.  While she was less than 5 foot tall this amazed many, but she always believed treating inmates with respect, dignity and a little bit of wit went a long way. When Lauren was not working she was on ‘The Kickie’ – her favorite term for her beloved river which she was raised on.  Whether it was clamming, crabbing or boating, if it meant being on the water Lauren and her family were doing it. Many teased that she had saltwater in her veins!

To many neighbors, she was the Kickie Coast Guard, saving boats, helping stranded boaters or saving a neighbor who went overboard, Lauren was always there when someone needed help.

On land you would see her on her John Deere with her beloved dog Hope and friends being towed in the trailer behind or her boat “Splash” and its trailer decked out in Christmas lights at the bottom of Kickemuit Ave. during the holidays.  It was the first thing you would see coming over the hill sharing her spirit with everyone around her.

A memorial will be held the last weekend in June – of course – by the Kickie!

A truly beloved Icon of The Kickimuit River and Swifts Point – she will be truly missed by many.

Calling hours are Tuesday, March 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main Street East Greenwich.